Starcrossed

Written in the Stars

The Ri family annually hosts a fundraiser in their grand estate, welcoming state officials and famous personalities to bid in an auction where all the proceeds are given to that year's charity of choice. It has been held by the family for several generations but only recently gained a boost of popularity because of the retired actress and family matriarch, Kim Yoon-hee.

Once she was given the task of preparing the event, she has successfully transformed it into a magical ball where guests get to dress to the nines, indulge in the overflowing buffet of food and drinks, and enjoy the music rendered by the philharmonic orchestra. It helps people forget about the worries and the problems of life. And what was once a small spark of happiness has now become a raging fire in the midst of the darkness currently looming over their heads.

Jeong Hyeok, despite being surrounded by the sons and daughters of influential figures, keeps his eye on the door while taking small sips of his whiskey in hopes that it can calm him down. The arrogant voices of the men mingled with the flirty ones coming from the ladies do nothing but grind his gears, and he desperately hopes that she arrives soon to save him from the crowd.

He had known that his presence at the ball would cause a stir, given his reputation as the only remaining son of a high-ranking government official and a bachelor to boot. All the ladies came flocking towards him the moment he made his appearance at the party and in turn the men had joined in as well, hoping that his indifference might prove beneficial to their own love lives.

Tonight is the night that they officially announce his engagement to the beautiful Yoon Seri. If one were to ask him how he feels about marriage before she appeared back in his life, they would have gotten a no-answer answer. A passive shrug or a simple eyebrow raise. Because that is who he is, that is who he has become since his older brother passed away: an enigma.

Unfortunately for him, the mysterious façade that he projected through the years has only made people more interested. Why did he agree to become a lowly captain in some far-flung province when he could have been named general here in the capital without a second thought? Why has he not shown interest in the many, many women throwing themselves at him? And why did he choose to become a soldier even though the entire country knew how talented a pianist he is?

A hand on his arm startles him out of his thoughts. He recognizes her as the second daughter of a colonel and slowly moves his arm from underneath her touch. The air turns awkward as he does, but he would rather not give her any ideas. "Is there something troubling you, comrade?" she asks softly, genuinely curious. "It seems as though your mind is a hundred miles away."

He gives her a firm smile and an honest answer. "Just waiting for someone."

His response takes her back before she murmurs in defeat, "Oh, I see. A woman, perhaps?"

He barely hears her as his eyes catch a glimpse of the person he has been waiting for. She walks into the room in a gorgeous white gown that falls in all the right places with her long, dark hair gathered in a loose bun on her nape. A stunning diamond necklace lay delicately around her neck, sparkling every time it catches the light. But none of the expensive pieces can compare to the beauty of the woman wearing them, especially when she brings out her famous smile.

It takes him a moment to realize that the latter was for him. His eyes meet hers, and his heart leaps up to his throat. He starts moving in autopilot, vaguely remembering excusing himself from the people surrounding him and placing his drink down. He feels the eyes of the entire party on him as he makes his way towards her, having been quiet and unapproachable all evening, and recognizes the anxiety written on her face as she notices the attention on them.

He gives her a small smile of assurance when he reaches her side but greets her father first so as to not appear rude. "Good evening, Governor Yoon," he says, and the older man immediately brightens up and shakes the hand that he offers. He finally feels like he is able to breathe for the first time that evening. "I'm glad you were able to make it. Have you been served refreshments?"